Not only did Tae get some things for Badou that she spotted him looking at, but she's also grabbed some things for Lilith, too!

He felt pretty bashful, being spoiled like that. Badou hasn't been spoiled since he was a kid-- and don't think he didn't pick up a few hair clips and ribbons for Tae, too, when she wasn't looking.

If Badou had picked up anything, Tae certainly did not notice. Too engrossed in picking things out for her favorite people. Sneaky Badou!

"I believe I have found a new hobby, then! Dressing my friends up in clothes they'd look nice in is so much fun!" Of course, as long as it was something they didn't mind.

Not only did Tae get some things for Badou that she spotted him looking at, but she's also grabbed some things for Lilith, too!

the dress itself is a fair compromise between what zelda has come to expect from a reasonable outfit , and the whimsy of trying on something . . . she still wouldn't choose for herself ordinarily . and zelda could venture to be content with something fair . the dress flattered her . and even while provincial , it was more akin to something she'd see teachers in castletown wear than anything found in the outskirts .

out popped her head , hand beckoning tae over for another's opinion .

" what are your thoughts pertaining -- " zelda cut herself off , seeing the armfuls of accessories tae brought with her . now that zelda never experienced before : it was as if tae herself found enjoyment in putting an outfit together . even one not with herself in mind !!

" ooh . you certainly fancy yourself a fashionista , don't you ?? well , being that i have strung you along thus far , let me just . . . " zelda humored tae and took the time to appropriately dress herself with the accompaniments to compliment tae's vision .

Tae talks to herself and even to Zelda, muttering as she puts everything together, happily. Once done, the outfit seems to come to life, but not so much as so that Zelda was swallowed in it. Her grin couldn't get any bigger than it already is.

"You are so beautiful!"

Doing this, or just spending time like this reminds her with one of her sisters and, isn't that such a bittersweet feeling.

"Ah, just like Zelda, mm?" She giggles. Tae loved blue, but then again, she loved all the colors that reminded her of her sisters.

He couldn't really relate to the idea of having siblings. The closest thing for him was... well, no one he remotely cared about meeting. He was a little envious that Tae, someone who also wasn't human, still had those relationships.

Just a little.

"I take it the peace didn't last?" Harukaze muttered. That much he knew-- at least, he could guess from what he'd heard from Snowy. Compared to him, Tae's memories of her homeworld seemed far more peaceful. He gave a soft sigh. "Pity I can't visit."

It was genuine -- he liked the idea of visiting other worlds, at least if he were given a choice in the matter. Still a bit salty about being dragged here without even a moment's notice, even though two years had already gone by.

She wishes the peace she remembered was still in Concordia. Perhaps then Lilith wouldn't have to suffer, and perhaps none of what happened to Uriah would have happened. Wouldn't that have been lovely?

"it would be nice if you could visit," She whispers. He'd like it, she imagines. Would he feel free? A world where no one would look at him strangely. Did he feel free enough back home? She thinks back on the trials he had to face.

His world hasn't been entirely kind to him. She wants to steal him away to a better world. Perhaps he's there already. Here, he can at least be himself.

zelda intended to put a period on her statement : to make room to wallow and quit . but tae is tactful , warm , and unrelenting in her companionship -- and so unlike the ladies who cowered down or whispered of her personal matters when her mood did not favor the day .

zelda inhaled sharp , reluctant yet weak to the gentle firmness with which tae redirected her back to the racks without even a moment to redress herself .

tae's second choice is understated . simple . clean . and far more in line with something zelda could accept herself in . fingers reached out to nimbly trace the loose stitching on the cheap , decorative buttons and fasteners sewn onto the bodice . its a quiet sort of dress . it wouldn't attract attention , nor would it attract opinion .

and maybe that's just fair . maybe it is fine to not be like tae .

A hat, a cute bag, a pair of flats, and beautiful cufflinks to go with the dress! PERFECT.

How did she get so lucky to have a friend who would just go with the flow in things? He'd even let her play with his hair and dress him up in outfits she'd think would look nice.

In the long run, it was all just for fun, of course, but it was still nice!

While shopping for some things with and for Badou, Tae asks an important question:

"ONLY if you want!" But of course, she'd love to see Badou in some sparkles! She's sure it'd bring out his eye. Happily, she leads him to their fun adventure.

pink was most certainly not her color , but zelda couldn't discern what about it felt the most out of place on her . perhaps it was her hair , too honeyed and warm for the gentle pink . or , perhaps it was because :

" i haven't worn anything pink since i was a child . "

and zelda had not been a child in very long .

either way , zelda's finger and thumb rubbed against the lace detailing , bashful in how tae painted optimism into what she thought was an obvious spectacle . because while she could try and wear the same dresses as tae , she would never be tae .

It's probably impossible for Badou's smile to get any softer.

"Try it on, I'll be your honest critique~!" Of course, it wouldn't be wrong for her to try on a dress.

they weren't here . and perhaps she didn't miss their echoes rippling behind every move she made . and maybe that was enough to embolden zelda , because the pressure is all too convincing . " alright , alright . i shall try it on . pardon me a moment . "

zelda hugged the dress tight to her chest and escaped behind a thick dressing curtain . there was a part of her who held dear the hope that she might put on the dress and feel every bit of how she perceived tae to be . yet , situated next to it was the nagging pessimism that her delusion ran too deep .

she emerged after a good minute with her hope engulfed with shame . rosy were the tips of her ears , warm to the touch . a hand shielded half her face , blistered with a crimson shyness and ashamed .

ashamed to be seen so cute .

. ⟡ * random starter for @dancingxflames !

"Do you miss your homeworld?"

Harukaze paused, realized that it was probably a foolish question-- just about anyone would answer yes to that. So, he added, "If this world suddenly gave you a chance to return, would you?"

Something like that might be a little more complicated.

They were sitting out in the forest, atop a sturdy branch. The late spring weather was nice, breezy and cool from the storm that had passed through earlier, and Harukaze after much deliberation and contemplation had invited Tae to join him on a patrol in the Aether Reserve. They'd spent a while looking for any birds' nests that had been knocked down by the wind and setting them back, making sure there weren't any branches fallen over the paths... things like that.

Because that was what friends did, right?

He sighed softly, glancing up toward still-grey sky.

Tae's legs kick back and forth. "Concordia is a complex yet beautiful world." She's glad there are books and such in the archive. It's how she learned a bit about other worlds.

"Did you know Concordia used to have all four kingdoms as one a long time ago? Everything was in harmony, in peace, and everyone worked together."

The swinging of her legs stops, and she exhales softly. "So much has changed, but it is still beautiful. You would have liked it.

" oh , wow . "

palm pressed to cheek . the garment was quite frilly , and that wasn't intended to be a dig , rather zelda simply couldn't envision herself in something so obviously sweet and girlish . itchy , thick lace dotted the hemming . the details dangled , held on by a thread . it was cheaply made , but more importantly . . . undeniably cute .

" i have always been told that it is most proper for me to maintain an . . . understated appearance . i can only imagine the scolding i would receive for showing out in something so ostentatiously cute . . . they might have considered me a spectacle . "

zelda's head lulled to the side , retrieving the hanger from tae to inspect it a little closer : as if to give the dress a better second chance than her gut initially had . she held it to her form , trying to better envision how it might look on her , " it wouldn't be vain of me to try to wear something like this when nobody is looking , no ?? "

"Try it on, I'll be your honest critique~!" Of course, it wouldn't be wrong for her to try on a dress.

"Mm-mm. Those never interested me. However, being here has shown me so much! I enjoy them now." To dress cute and prettifully and with Lilith nonetheless? It was all times spent together with friends.

" and here i thought perhaps you might be in need of something practical from the market , " zelda teased , ribbing gently . although , for one like tae whose femininity blossomed like a bud in spring , perhaps it was perfectly natural to want such delicacies . for tae was dainty and delicate herself .

in some ways , zelda wished she too could suit such frivolities : the desire to one day be seen as precious and cute too . . .

It doesn't take long for them to get to the market place either. Already, Tae is looking and this and that.

The necklace has already been purchased the moment that they had stepped foot in the market. It's in its precious box inside a bag.